Battery module of improved cooling efficiency

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a battery module configured to have a structure in which a plurality of plate type battery cells is mounted in a module case so that the battery cells are arranged adjacent to one another. The battery module includes a plurality of insulative members disposed between the respective battery cells so that each of the insulative members corresponds to the peripheral shape of a corresponding one of the battery cells and a plurality of cooling members disposed at the interfaces between the respective battery cells. Each of the cooling members includes a heat dissipating fin disposed in contact with the outer surface of a corresponding one of the battery cells and a coolant conduit provided at the lower end of the heat dissipating fin.

1. A battery module configured to have a structure in which a plurality of plate type battery cells is mounted in a module case so that the battery cells are arranged adjacent to one another, the battery module comprising:
 a plurality of insulative members disposed between the respective battery cells so that each of the insulative members corresponds to the peripheral shape of a corresponding one of the battery cells; and 
 a plurality of cooling members disposed at the interfaces between the respective battery cells, wherein 
 each of the cooling members comprises a heat dissipating fin disposed in contact with the outer surface of a corresponding one of the battery cells and a coolant conduit provided at the lower end of the heat dissipating fin so that a liquid coolant flows along the coolant conduit, and 
 wherein each insulative member is formed of an expanded mold product exhibiting elastic pressing force when the insulative member is pressurized between peripheral regions of neighboring battery cells. 
 
     
     
       2. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the battery cells is configured so that an electrode assembly having a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery receiving part, and a battery case formed of a laminate sheet comprising a metal layer and a resin layer is sealed by thermal welding so that sealing portions are formed at the peripheral region of the battery case. 
     
     
       3. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the insulative members is formed of expanded polypropylene (EPP). 
     
     
       4. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipating fin and the coolant conduit constituting each of the cooling members are integrally formed. 
     
     
       5. The battery module according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the cooling members comprises a plate type heat dissipating fin and a coolant conduit formed by bending one end of the heat dissipating fin in the shape of a circle in vertical section. 
     
     
       6. The battery module according to  claim 5 , wherein the end of the coolant conduit bent in the shape of a circle in vertical section is coupled to the heat dissipating fin. 
     
     
       7. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the coolant conduit of each of the cooling members is surrounded by a corresponding one of the insulative members. 
     
     
       8. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the cooling members is formed of a thermally conductive metal material. 
     
     
       9. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the module case is provided at the lower parts of the front and rear thereof with a coolant input port and a coolant outlet port, respectively, and the battery module further comprises a manifold mounted between a battery cell stack and the module case to connect two or more coolant conduits of the battery cell stack to the coolant input port or the coolant outlet port of the module case. 
     
     
       10. The battery module according to  claim 9 , wherein the manifold is provided at regions thereof connected to the respective coolant conduits, the coolant input port and the coolant outlet port with annular ribs. 
     
     
       11. The battery module according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insulative cartridge configured to surround the battery cells, the insulative members and the cooling members. 
     
     
       12. The battery module according to  claim 11 , wherein the cartridge is provided at positions thereof corresponding to the coolant input port and the coolant outlet port with openings. 
     
     
       13. The battery module according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid coolant comprises water. 
     
     
       14. A battery pack comprising two or more battery modules according to  claim 1 , the number of the battery modules being set based on power and capacity of the battery pack. 
     
     
       15. The battery pack according to  claim 14 , wherein the battery pack is used as a power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. 
     
     
       16. A member assembly mounted between two neighboring battery plate type cells of a battery module comprising a plurality of plate type cells mounted in a module case so that the battery cells are arranged adjacent to one another, the member assembly comprising a cooling member and an insulative member, wherein
 the cooling member comprises a heat dissipating fin and a coolant conduit, the heat dissipating fin being disposed in contact with the outer surface of a corresponding one of the battery cells, the coolant conduit being integrally formed at one end of the heat dissipating fin, and 
 the insulative member is configured in a frame structure corresponding to the peripheral shape of a corresponding one of the battery cells so that the heat dissipating fin is exposed, the coolant conduit being surrounded by the insulative member. 
 
     
     
       17. A battery module configured to have a structure in which a plurality of plate type battery cells is mounted in a module case so that the battery cells are arranged adjacent to one another, the battery module comprising:
 a plurality of insulative members disposed between the respective battery cells so that each of the insulative members corresponds to the peripheral shape of a corresponding one of the battery cells; and 
 a plurality of cooling members disposed at the interfaces between the respective battery cells, wherein 
 each of the cooling members comprises a heat dissipating fin disposed in contact with the outer surface of a corresponding one of the battery cells and a coolant conduit provided at the lower end of the heat dissipating fin so that a liquid coolant flows along the coolant conduit, and 
 wherein the heat dissipating fin and the coolant conduit constituting each of the cooling members are integrally formed.